Published in · 4 min read · Aug 17, 2019
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We’ve all experienced it. You edit the pretty photo, craft the perfect caption, hit ‘post’ and hope for the best. Although lately, you may feel like hoping for the best ain’t hoping for much.
If your engagement has felt uncharacteristically low, so low, that you find yourself wondering…
“Do people not like my stuff anymore?”
“Why does Instagram hate me?”
“What is WRONG with people?”
“Wait…is it me?”
…Don’t give up! It’s easy to think that the Instagram algorithm is somehow plotting against us, like there is a bunch of guys sitting at HQ dialing the levels of engagement in their control room. Hiding our posts from our followers. Controlling the number of likes that each photo receives. Somehow, convincing people not to comment.
While I hate to be the bearer of bad news, here it is:
It’s not Instagram, it is you.
Now before you get defensive with me, try to lose that victim mentality. None of us are victims here. Instagram is not plotting against us. We have the potential to create, share, and receive recognition for amazing content.
We just have to start playing the game; thinking less like creatives, and more like marketers.
First, let’s assess the reason your content isn’t doing well.
It’s actually very simple: it’s because people don’t like it.
I know that feels harsh, but stay with me, because I’m going to explain why and what you can do about it.
We have to remember that people are inundated with new content everywhere they turn. The cost per like is much higher than it was even one-two years ago. This does not mean you are a bad content creator, it just means you have to work harder to acquire engagement.
When someone doesn’t ‘like’ something on Instagram, do not take it personally. This is not a matter of whether people like you or not, it’s simply that your content is not inspiring action in your viewers.
In order to see the results we are looking for, we have to place emotions aside. Instead of throwing our hands up when your post receives low…
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